3200GT door locked... permanently :)

[javier]

Hello,
I've a disgusting little problem... my 3200GT driver's lock (left door in my case ) is permanently locked, and closed. The key is not able to open it, and also cannot be opened from inside. I've openend the door panels to investigate a bit, but not too much to see, all seems ok. Since the door is locked, no possibility to dismount the lock. Any suggestion about how to open the door? Thanks! Regards.

 

[Parisien]

Javier...Matt whose an expert on 3200s is away at Le Mans......bump this on Tuesday if no one replies before then.


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[dem maser]

I have not had any issue with mine and im not very diy either so yes plse wait in the week im sure we will have someone on here telling you what to do, pibbow is good with his hands so maybe he can help

 

[Emtee]

Surely the key in the lock is a mechanical override? Don't understand why this wouldn't unlock the door? Have you tried unlocking with the key, but then jumping in the passenger side and trying to open with the inner door lever?

 

[NickP]

WD40 in the lock and release with the key, if the lock is seized you may need to soak in WD40 for a while and repeat, don't go breaking your key! If the mechanism is completely seized which it sounds like then you may need to replace the locks, a set is about £500 plus keys.

Since the handle inside the car doesnt unlock the door it sounds like the rod connecting the key hole/lock & handle together has somehow come off. If so you should try hooking it by removing the interior handle and door panel as much as possible while the door is shut. Use a coat hanger or similar to hook the rod that has come off and pull it, like a car thief might do!

 

[dem maser]

That last bit nick, you grew up in a dodgy neighbourhood like me?? Hahahaha

 

[javier]

Thanks, Entee and Nick. The keylock seems ok, and it tries to move the lock through the tie rod. The internal lever also does not work, and all the tie rods are ok and fitted in their places, so... the little thing that seems stuck is the lock itself (nr 18 in the diagram http://www.eurospares.co.uk/userImages/004/Large/004_111.gif ) that seems to be not very expensive (38 pounds or so). The problem is that it cannot be dismounted with the door locked! I will try again with more WD40... and if it does not work perhaps I should contact a professional car thief

 

[Emtee]

Hi Javier, If neither the inner or outer handles are lifting the door lock, it seems unlikely it will be the connecting rods, as these are different rods. I wonder whether it's either the microswitch or the connecting block?

This is the Eurospares schematic..... parts 2 and 28.



You might be able to get at these through the inner panel, though you'll have to cut through two inner door liners.

7 and 16 on this schematic...

 

[NickP]

I had a similar problem on my first TVR, it turned out to be the lock mechanism on the frame had come loose, turning the key or working the handle just moved the mount. I eventually opened it by lifting the door up while using the handle from the outside of the car.

I don't think the microswitch or connector block would prevent you from opening the door manually with either of the handles as these effectively are a mechanical override to the electronic system. I'd guess that either part 18 or the stay on the door frame that the door locks to has come loose, or the door has dropped on its hinge. That is if everything else appears to be working i.e. the tie rods and lock mechanism.

 

[2b1ask1]

A completely unrelated car I know but my daughters Vahuxal Corsa suffered a jammed mechanism in the drivers door a couple of momnths ago causing a siezure of the whole assembly. It is a central locking car and it seems the system went into spasms overnighttrying to lock-unkock continually untill the drivers door solonoid melted and siezed. It seems in this case that the system continued to draw current as the battery was completely flat in the morning when she found it!

I have removed the solonoid and she now locks manually... It may help diagnose this problem Javier...

 

[Parisien]

Heres a new 3200 door lock if it suits.........

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Maserati-3200...0394?pt=Autoteile_Zubehör&hash=item2c5d5656aa


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[javier]

Emtee, I've already the two panels removed to look inside. Yes, the rods seems ok and the lock 18 seems stuck, probably something similatr to what 2b1ask1 pointed, that one of the solenoids (I think that there are two, one for locking and another for unlocking) is blocked, or that something inside is jammed, blocking the mechanism.

Nick, the lock seems solidly fitted. I've also tried to pull a bit the door to the inside, to up, to down, to outside, while trying to unlock with the key or with the internal lever - no success

Thanks for the ebay link, Parisien, I've asked the seller for which door it is, since from the picture I'm not sure, and seems not to be in the description - I'm planning in any case to buy a lock mechanism (the part nr 18 in the drawing) in order to do some reverse engineering and see if it is possible to unlock it from the inside since with the door closed, it is impossible to remove.

I've seen also that the lock p/n is the same for the 4200, so the research will aply to both models

Regards!

 

[javier]

Forgot to add that the problem was finally solved about two weeks ago, when I received the new lock from Eurospares, and changed it with the help of my local indy. Effectively, the door lock was jammed, and the only way to open it was to break the lock plastic cover to access the interior and unlock it.

 

[Emtee]

Good to hear you got it sorted Javier. Now don't forget to lock it!